THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is set to operate its third Doppler Radar Station in Mindanao.

Maribel Hasanah Enriquez, chief meteorological officer of the Pagasa-Zamboanga station, said the Doppler Radar Station is set to be operational in March citing the equipment for the facility had arrived Tuesday.

Enriquez said Pagasa has allocated P100 million to realize the project that include the construction of the building and purchase of the needed equipment.

The station is located inside Camp Basilio Navarro that houses the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters in the village of Upper Calarian, west of Zamboanga City.

Enriquez said they are just waiting for the arrival of Finland-based personnel, who are experts in the operation of Doppler Radar Station, to install the equipment.

The Doppler Radar, which was purchased in Helsinki, Finland, will be used to measure amount of rainfall, rain intensity, and other weather conditions.

Enriquez said it will be the third Doppler Radar Station to be operated by Pagasa in Mindanao.

The other two stations are located in Tampakan, South Cotabato, and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. (Bong Garcia)